ᐅ How do I securely install drawer slides in the Ikea Pax wardrobe system?

Hello everyone,

I am currently facing a challenge with my Ikea Pax wardrobe. I want to install drawer slides inside and secure them as firmly and permanently as possible. The slides have already been chosen, but Ikea provides limited guidance on mounting them in the Pax, especially regarding stability for frequent use or heavier loads.

Specifically, my question is: What methods and tools do you recommend to reliably install drawer slides in the Ikea Pax? Which screws, anchors, or possibly additional support profiles are worth using to ensure the slides are not only fitted properly but remain stable over time? It would also be helpful to know the best approach to avoid damaging the wardrobe during installation.

I look forward to practical tips, experiences with different types of slides, and maybe suggestions for alternatives or additions to the Ikea materials.

Thanks in advance!

Geoffrey schrieb:
Which methods and tools would you recommend for reliably installing drawer slides in the Ikea Pax system?

Hey Geoffrey,

first of all, great and very practical question! If you want the installation to be sturdy, make sure not to screw only into the thin side panels, but if possible, add extra reinforcements. Some swear by metal or wooden strips that you attach inside the sides to distribute the load over a larger area. Classic options also include threaded inserts or special anchors that hold the screws firmly and securely.

As a general rule: use slightly stronger screws that fit well into the designated holes – but don’t use screws that are too long, as they could damage the cabinet.

A small tip: if you’re a bit handy, you can also install small brackets at the bottom to add extra stability. This helps prevent the drawer from slipping sideways when in use.

Keep at it – good drawer slides are worth the effort so they don’t wobble or get stuck!

Good luck!

Wesley schrieb:
If you want the whole thing to be stable, I would make sure not to screw only into the thin side panels but, if possible, add extra reinforcements.

This is a very important tip. To go into more technical detail: The walls of the Pax wardrobe are actually quite thin, usually about 8 mm (0.3 inches) thick particleboard with a foil coating, which alone is hardly sufficient to carry the load when heavy drawer slides are involved.

I therefore recommend the following approach:

- Use the original mounting points of the Ikea Pax and reinforce them with additional wooden battens or plywood strips fixed inside the side panel. These battens increase the thickness of the fastening surface and provide better stability. Accordingly, you can use longer and thicker screws without fear of them pulling out.

- When choosing screws, opt for wood screws with a larger diameter (e.g., 4.5 to 5 mm (0.18 to 0.2 inches)). Avoid using particleboard screws alone, if possible.

- Before driving in the screws, pre-drill with a drill bit slightly smaller than the screw diameter to prevent splitting the material.

- For particularly heavy loads, it is advisable to use metal brackets or special U-profiles mounted under the drawers and on the inner wall. This helps to better distribute shear and tensile forces.

- Also, during installation, ensure precise alignment of the drawer slides to prevent jamming and excessive wear.

One final question for you: What type of drawer slides are you using exactly? Full-extension with soft-close, or classic slides? Depending on the model, there are different load and fastening requirements.

bapar schrieb:
What type of drawer slides are these exactly? Full-extension with soft-close or standard ones?

Very good question, which I also always ask for similar projects. Especially with Ikea Pax, it makes a difference whether you use, for example, metal full-extension slides with soft-close that require a bit more precise installation, or the standard roller slides that are easier to install but don’t offer the same load capacity.

Here are a few practical tips to help ensure a stable installation:

- If you only want to use the original Pax drill holes, make sure to attach the slides as close to the back edge of the cabinet as possible. This minimizes lateral tilting of the drawers.

- If the load is higher – for example, kitchen utensils or heavy clothing – it’s advisable to install additional cross braces or intermediate panels to distribute the weight evenly.

- When pre-drilling the side panels, use a drill bit that matches the screw size well to avoid splitting or damaging the material.

- Avoid screwing directly into the edge of the panels, as the holding strength there is significantly lower.

I hope this helps. Are there any known issues during installation that you’ve already noticed? Maybe we can address them here directly.